Children interviewed by social workers

needurgentadvice

I'm forwarding a link to this thread to the parents. I think the decision on whether to have a solicitor present or not is there's to make but I can see where you are both coming from.

Thanks once again.

pupsicola

I really hope that your friends will be okay tomorrow and get a clear picture of what has been going on. It must be an awful time for them and I am thinking of them.

Oldernotwiser

needurgentadvice wrote: »

Thank you both of you. Trying to help parents and never been/known anyone in this situation.
Parents want me present at their interview but not sure if that's possible or not.

Perhaps you should be aiming to help the children rather than the parents? Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors.

pupsicola

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Perhaps you should be aiming to help the children rather than the parents? Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors.

:eek:

Touch blunt. Whatever happened to innocent till proven guilty. If they had anything to hide would they really ask for the op to go along and listen into the interview?

shegirl

meritaten wrote: »

really? you saying you are a solicitor and wouldnt represent someone in this situation? in that case I would be asking for another solicitor as you are clearly not understanding your duty. a client doesnt have to be guilty or charged with anything! a client would only have to have you there to explain legal matters to them- you would also be there to ensure that the clients rights are not infringed. a client is a person who is paying you to represent them as you have the greater understanding of the law (but in your case he would be wasting his money wouldnt he?)

There is NO need for a solicitor.If anything progresses then yes,but as this point it's a waste of time and could look rather bad!

They have no idea what is going on.They need to be able to have an open conversation/interview with the social worker to find out what has happened and discuss things with them,not sit there on guard expecting legal issues.It wouldn't help anyone.

How manay solicitors do you know who would not only go and visit a client at home but also do so because they are having a conversation with a social worker for the first time?Most only step in when there is a case conference or similar held.

shegirl

pupsicola wrote: »

:eek:

Touch blunt. Whatever happened to innocent till proven guilty. If they had anything to hide would they really ask for the op to go along and listen into the interview?

Honestly?I find asking a friend to be present a little odd,but hey ho!

But none of us know what is happening and nobody can speculate either way.

Oldernotwiser

pupsicola wrote: »

:eek:

Touch blunt. Whatever happened to innocent till proven guilty. If they had anything to hide would they really ask for the op to go along and listen into the interview?

No reason not to be blunt, the OP's isn't the one being questioned.

I totally agree with innocent until proven guilty but having the priority of helping the parents rather than the children seems to be looking at the question from the wrong way round.

needurgentadvice

Social services were happy for me to be there, reason being that I have known parents and family for some time and have SEN children.

The interview was more like a casual chat, but a one off incident was discussed that I believe instigated this scenario. Don't really want to post in too much detail due to confidentiality.

Anyway, cut a long story short, I felt the emphasis at this meeting was on what support could be given to the parents who in turn could then support the children (with their welfare being the most important element). Parents have been asking for support for years but never received any whereas my children get every form of support they are entitled to without my having to fight for it. I think they are going to get that support now with SS taking charge.

They are coming back tues to put strategies in place. Police may or may not interview and Social services have been advised not to discuss what children said.

Parents are desperate for support, and willing to work with social services, I also said I am happy to help parents as I have strategies being used in my house on a daily basis due to my SEN children, and its getting harder as they get older.

Hopefully this will all have a happy ending.